Recently, an alligator was found in Lake Michigan. The animal was thin and its mouth had been taped shut. Born Free USA’s Angela Grimes was on The 21st to discuss this incident, which is almost certainly the case of someone disposing of their exotic pet. As Grimes states, millions of exotic pets are kept in the U.S., of various species:
“There are any number of species of wild animals that humans like to keep as pets, mostly for vanity; to show off…”
And, although many species of exotic animals are illegal to own, that often makes no difference:
“… some people go around [the law] to get the wild animals…”
Listen to the conversation at the link below (segment begins at 45:00).